Chapter 18

The Decline of the Great Way

大(dà)道(dào)废(fèi)，有(yǒu)仁(rén)义(yì)；

智(zhì)慧(huì)出(chū)，有(yǒu)大(dà)伪(wěi)；

六(liù)亲(qīn)不(bù)和(hé)，有(yǒu)孝(xiào)慈(cí)；

国(guó)家(jiā)昏(hūn)乱(luàn)，有(yǒu)忠(zhōng)臣(chén)。

James Legge · 1891 · Public domain

1. When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.

2. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.

Read one chapter a week